At the sexual assault town hall earlier this school year, a few people asked what we as a campus is doing to address this issue. This article will answer that question and provide opportunities for everyone to become involved in spreading awareness. I turn to my friend Malayna Hasmanis, who is well versed in this topic. She is the president of Rock Against Rape, president of Greeks Against Sexual Assault, served on the executive board of Eyes Wide Open, and is also a core member of It's On Us. Malayna was also one of ten students in the nation to be honored by former vice president Joe Biden.
Sexual Assault Town Hall
Earlier this school year, the administrators and Department of Public Safety organized a town hall in the Grand River Room. Representatives from Eyes Wide Open, Student Senate, and Greeks Against Sexual Assault were on a panel and did a presentation. Students were also allowed to ask questions. Another town hall is currently being planned, set to be in April. Through this Town Hall, we are able to create a safe place to review the efforts that have been made throughout the year, as well as determine ways in which students, administrators, and leaders to utilize the voices of the students to improve even more.
Eyes Wide Open/Lakers for Consent
Eyes Wide Open is a student organization that founded fifteen years ago on Grand Valley’s campus to dedicate the efforts of students to use their voice, passion, and talents to educate others in the hopes of creating a more educated student body as they strive to end the issue of sexual assault on our college campus. All students are welcome to join and participate. The members also act as peer educators and give presentations to classes, other student organizations, and pretty much anywhere you can think of. Through this peer to peer education based model, they are able to create a safe place to discuss this issue and unite together as leaders to end sexual assault.
Student Senate
A few of the representatives on Student Senate have or are working on projects, such as survivor empowerment groups on campus.
Student Senate is also helping to plan a Sexual Assault Awareness Week (the first week of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month) in conjunction with a few other student organizations, as well as the on-campus Women’s Center. Throughout these series of events, there will be events ranging from educational tabling to keynote speakers to open forums to discuss what we can do better as a student body to create a safer college community. If you are interested in participating, keep an eye out for events.
Greeks Against Sexual Assault
Greeks Against Sexual Assault is a student organization that was founded two years ago in response the evident stigma associated with Greek life all across the nation. This organization is dedicated towards eliminating this stereotype and striving to create an established foundation of education, awareness, and passion to strive to educate students throughout the Grand Valley community to make a change for all.
Off Campus Apartments
There are now brighter lights on 48th Avenue. Grand Valley has gotten into contact with the off campus apartments and encouraged them to play a larger role in addressing sexual assault.
***A big thank you to Malayna for coauthoring this article. This would not be possible without her!***
